Veterans Reuniting To Raise Awareness About Puerto Rico Crisis

When Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit Puerto Rico last year, they destroyed homes, roads and bridges.

Yuisa Rios
/ FEMA

Puerto Rican veterans will be reuniting for the first time in 30 years Saturday, and they’ll be raising awareness about the current situation on the island.

For most of the veterans, this will be the first time seeing each other since they were stationed at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, in the 1980s and 1990s.

According to a press release, it will be an opportunity to not only reunite old friends but also to show unity and support for fellow Puerto Ricans.

"Puerto Rico has been suffering through an economic crisis prior to Hurricane Maria and we are continuing our effort no matter how small to bring positive change to the island," said Roberto Antonio Germain, veteran and co-organizer of the event.

Last year, Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated Puerto Rico, destroying homes, roads and bridges, triggering heavy flooding, and causing a power outage on the entire Island.

Six months later, approximately 150,000 homes and businesses - 11 percent of the territory - is still without power.

The reunion will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa before the spring training game between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets.

Four months after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, FEMA analysis showed that only 1 percent of island residents still rely on emergency food and water to survive. So the federal agency plans to “shut off” those supplies on Jan. 31, 2018.